Family wants hero in tragic fire helped

Published: Friday, March 15, 2013 at 05:53 PM.

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“Just to know that he was willing to do that to try to save my babies means so much. And he was a stranger who has four babies of his own,” Dana Ridge said.

Hooters in Burlington will host a benefit for Cosner during one of its bike nights, which are held Friday, within the next few weeks. The date and time of that benefit — being organized by a regular customer and local biker group — aren’t set yet, said KevinChodynieki, Hooters’ general manager.

The fire started before dawn Saturday, when a space heater in the living room ignited materials near it, investigators say. The bedroom where the children slept was near the living room.

Dana Ridge had already left for work. Fred Ridge was awakened by a noise but couldn’t get to the bedroom. He tried to rescue them from outside when Costner and the co-worker stopped to help.

Ray Goddard was the first to see the fire, stop and call 911. Goddard pulled Fred Ridge out of the burning house.

“He had to physically pull me out of the house because I was trying to get back inside. He pretty much had to fight me to save my life,” Fred Ridge said.

Guilford Fire District Station 28, Gibsonville Fire Department, Whitsett Fire Department, McLeansville Fire Department, Northeast Fire Department, and Guilford County Emergency Services responded to the fire. Despite all their efforts, the two children were pronounced dead at the scene.

The family of two children killed in a Saturday house fire in Gibsonville say the stranger injured trying to save them is a hero and want the community to support him.

Steve Cosner, of Danville, is recovering from second-degree burns at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill after attempting to pull Jade Hawks, 1, and Matthew Ridge-Poulos, 4, from inside the burning home at 5913 NC 61 North in Gibsonville Saturday. He and a coworker, Brenten Shaw, were on their way to work when they saw the fire and stopped.

“We’ve lost a lot, everything, including two precious babies. But we weren’t the only ones hurt in this,” said Fred Ridge, the children’s grandfather, who was inside the home when the fire started. “He was willing to risk his life for someone he doesn’t even know. It means more to me than he will ever know. I’m not sure I’m as brave as he is.”

Ridge, Cosner and Shaw attempted to rescue the children through a window. Cosner was burned reaching through flames with a rake, attempting to use it to grab and pull the bed frame and bedding where the children were, Ridge said.

“He’s a very humble man. He did it because he hopes other people would do the same for his children,” Ridge said. “I want to make sure he’s taken care of; that his medical bills are covered and that he doesn’t suffer at all for losing time at work.”

Cosner has four children, the youngest 17 months old, said Dana Ridge, the children’s mother.

“Just to know that he was willing to do that to try to save my babies means so much. And he was a stranger who has four babies of his own,” Dana Ridge said.

Hooters in Burlington will host a benefit for Cosner during one of its bike nights, which are held Friday, within the next few weeks. The date and time of that benefit — being organized by a regular customer and local biker group — aren’t set yet, said KevinChodynieki, Hooters’ general manager.

The fire started before dawn Saturday, when a space heater in the living room ignited materials near it, investigators say. The bedroom where the children slept was near the living room.

Dana Ridge had already left for work. Fred Ridge was awakened by a noise but couldn’t get to the bedroom. He tried to rescue them from outside when Costner and the co-worker stopped to help.

Ray Goddard was the first to see the fire, stop and call 911. Goddard pulled Fred Ridge out of the burning house.

“He had to physically pull me out of the house because I was trying to get back inside. He pretty much had to fight me to save my life,” Fred Ridge said.

Guilford Fire District Station 28, Gibsonville Fire Department, Whitsett Fire Department, McLeansville Fire Department, Northeast Fire Department, and Guilford County Emergency Services responded to the fire. Despite all their efforts, the two children were pronounced dead at the scene.

“I want them all to know how thankful I am, how thankful the whole family is,” Fred Ridge said.

Carl Allen, of Guilford County Station 28, spearheaded fundraising efforts after the fire. Friedens Lutheran Church donated land to the family for the plot. Page Stokes and Junior Snyder — who own area Domino’s Pizza franchises, where Dana Ridge works — Rich and Thompson Funeral Home of Burlington, the Ladies Auxiliary of Guilford County Station 28 and many close friends have been gracious and generous, they said.

“I can’t say enough about the Frieden community. A person couldn’t ask for a better area to say they’re from. It’s like one huge family,” Fred Ridge said.

Donations to the family can be made to Truliant Federal Credit Union, to the Ridge Memorial account. But the Ridges say they’re being taken care of.

Now they want to make sure Cosner gets the recognition he deserves.

“Anything that can be done. We want him to get all the help he can get,” Fred Ridge said.